Well planned hoarding

For the last few weeks, I have been reading essay upon essay, blog post upon blog post about minimalism. I have been inspired and encouraged more times than I can count and feel more motivated and peaceful than I have in a very long time.

What I have discovered during these early stages of simplification is that the desire has ALWAYS been there. Even looking back to when I first started blogging, my intent was to focus on making life easier so that I could focus on what was important. So my plan was to organize the crap out of my house. My "aha" moment was when I read a blog post that described organizing as well planned hoarding. I thought, "Ha! Yeah it is!!" Another blogger said something to the affect of "if you purge what you don't need/use/love, you will discover that you don't need all of those organization solutions." Touché!

The times in my life that I have felt the "lightest" (figuratively speaking) have been when I focused on the essentials and when I didn't waste time and energy hyper-focusing on my appearance, money, or "stuff." Those times included daily devotions, time with friends and family, prayer, meals, and spending time outdoors. Those things have always been and remain important, but "stuff" was always getting in the way. I was spending more time caring for my "stuff" than I was spending with my family, on myself, or in prayer combined. I needed to simplify in a BIG way. The first thing I did was unsubscribe to home blogs that reinforced/encouraged (me) to acquire more "stuff" or find discontent in what I have or don't have.

I have parted with (and designated "for sale") a lot of stuff. I mean A LOT! It is simultaneously invigorating and depressing. I so wish I had come to this realization sooner. I could have spared myself so much heartache, time, and money. But, I am moving on! I will not dwell in the past. I will move forward with renewed purpose and focus.

I snapped a few pictures to illustrate my journey towards "doing more of what I love with less."

I used this "thing" (I don't even know what to call it), as a centerpiece. I filled the jars with some coffee beans and then put votives in each jar. It appeals (or did) to my design aesthetic because it is "primitive" looking and I like candles. However, when I really took some time to think about it, it (and the runner underneath) just got in the way of meals with my family and collected dust. Buh-bye! :)


I also cleared the counters of anything without a purpose. Already, the kitchen has started "taking care of itself."


After a good purge, the only function my nightstand serves now is a home for a bedside lamp, my bible, and some paper.


It feels good to clutter-bust, and as an added bonus, my brain feels clutter-free too :).